Pianoforte-soundboard



J. A. MURDOCH.

PIANOFORTE SOUNDBO APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12 ARD.

. 1919. I v Patented May 10, 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES ALFRED MURDOCH, OF KENTISH TOWN, LONDON, ENGLAND.

PIANOFORTE-SOUNDBOARD.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES ALFRED MUR- nooH, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Leighton Road, Kentish Town, in the county of London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in or Relating to Pianoforte-Soundboards, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pianofortes more particularly to the soundboards which as usually constructed are built up of thin pine strengthened on one side by transverse bars which are glued on, the chief object being to simplify such method of manufacture and improve the construction of the soundboard so as to obviate the frequent source of trouble hitherto prevalent by reason of the parts becoming loose or detached through the opening of the joints or the springing of the bars.

According to the invention the parts of the soundboard are so constructed and ar ranged as to enable the structure to be built up or completed at one operation. For this purpose the bars are made integral with the soundboard and the joints of the boards constituting said soundboard are arranged to come or lie within the parts affording the bars or their equivalent. In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect the same will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a diagram of a portion of a soundboard showing the disposition of the ribs.

Fig. 2 is a fragmental edge view of the soundboard.

Figs. 3 and 4; are similar views to Fig. 2 showing modifications.

Fig. 5 is a face view, and

Fig. 6 is an edge of a modification hereinafter referred to.

a, a indicate the members or parts from which the soundboard is built up each being of increased thickness along one or both of its edges a to be jointed. For securing the joints the edges a are tongued and grooved (Fig. 2) and so adapted that, when fitted together the adjacent edges of the parts will not only be securely and effec- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 10, 1921.

1919. Serial No. 303,623.

tively jointed but the thickened edges will afford or constitute a bar which is integral with the soundboard. In lieu of the tongue and groove connection the two meeting edges 0; of the board may be grooved or recessed and a metal or other insertion (Fig. 3) employed to key the parts together; or the edges may be so formed as to provide a lap joint, see Fig. 4. The portions a forming the bars may be finished off in any appropriate manner during or after the building of the soundboard; thus, they may be rounded as shown or otherwise shaped as may be desired. l/Vhile preferring the bars or parts thereof to be integral with the edges of the boards forming the soundboard it will be understood that other portions of these boards may be provided with ribs or raised portions a see Figs. 5 and 6, molded or otherwise formed and lying between the joints, and these raised portions a may be detachable bars applied or inserted between the aforesaid joint-forming bars to increase the rigidity or strengthen the soundboard.

The ends of the bars if not integral with the soundboard may be connected by bridgepieces or insertions, as indicated in Fig. 1, said bridge-pieces or insertions being so constructed and arranged as to facilitate or augment the directing or spreading of the vibrations or waves across-the soundboard.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A pianoforte soundboard composed of parts having increased thickness at their edges, said edges being provided with means for securing the parts together, and producing a complete soundboard in which the secured thickened edges form ribs or bars, for the purpose specified.

2. A pianoforte soundboard composed of parts having increased thickness at their edges, said thick edges being provided with alternate tongues and grooves for engagement with one another so as to secure the parts together.

3. A pianoforte soundboard composed of parts having increased thickness at their edges, said thick edges being provided with means for securing the parts together and having between their edges and parallel thereto, ribs, or 12L1SGC1EO1131OI1S.

JAMES ALF ED MURDOCH. 

